The Oakland Athletics disappeared off the radar over the last month with playoffs going on, but they have remained busy in recent days. Earlier this past week, the A's released relief pitcher Michael Wuertz and claimed RHP Evan Scribner and OF Cedric Hunter off waivers from the San Diego Padres.
The A's held a 2012 team option for Wuertz that would have cost them $3.25 million. After a dominant 2009 season, Wuertz struggled in 2010 and was even worse in 2011, finishing this past season with a 6.68 earned run average and 1.87 WHIP in just over 33 innings. Wuertz has spent quite a bit of time on the disabled list the last two seasons and the A's cannot afford to tied down that kind of money on another injury-prone player.
Evan Scribner and Cedric Hunter both spent some time in the big leagues, but were with the Triple-A Tuscon Padres. Coincidentally enough, both suffered season-ending injuries within a week of each other in July. Assistant GM David Forst indicated that Hunter is 100% healthy and Scribner was on track to be ready for spring training.
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